From
trying to create the right atmosphere and to grown some political stars.
September to October, the Television Division of RTHK ran its programme
"City Forum" on the theme of political system and chose guest speakers who
were mostly in favour of direct election. Those speakers who were
opposed to hastening towards direct election were apparently outnumbered
and came under attack from all sides. The most interesting incident was the forum
held by RTHK in the University of Hong Kong on 19 October. Of the
speakers and commentators present, Emily LAU, TAI Yiu-ting, Vincent KO and YEUNG Sum were in favour of direct election by 1988. Only Maria TAM
said that "the first draft of the Basic Law would be out by 1988. It
might impose some restrictions on the post-1988 political system.
Therefore, the 1987 review would be an important affairs." In
spite of this, Maria TAM came under heavy fire from all sides. Martin
Lee was not one of the speakers. But he spoke from the floor, directing
his barb at C.M. LEUNG, Principal Assistant Secretary of the City and
New Territories Administration; "On the subject of public opinion, I
feel that Mr C.M. LEUNG's opinions are very important because Mr Leung's
opinion is public opinion." This remark sent up a roar of laughter as the satire against a government official had struck a sympathetic chord
among the audience.
At this forum
The 80's in Perspective"
one of the speakers,
Emily LAU, became very agitated. She said that the "invisible hand" should
not interfere in the 1987 review. If the invisible hand came from Peking
or London, it should be chopped off immediately. It can be said that such a forum organized by a government radio station is a highly directive one.
C.M. Leung's secret
briefing
Nevertheless, a more express directive came from a private briefing convened by C.M. Leung. Mr Leung briefed some political commenta- ting groups on his "personal opinions", which he asked to be kept confidential. He talked about the need to fight for direct election in 1988 and strongly urged the public groups to seek a return of the government to the people. He also said that if there were no direct election in 1988, Hong Kong
people would lose confidence and another mass exodus would appear.
Why do some government officials speak in one tone in public